The Thursday news briefing: An at-a-glance survey of some top stories

Highlights from the news file for Thursday, Sept 1

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TRUDEAU CRITIQUES CHINA’S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau used a speech in Shanghai to call on the Chinese government to improve its human rights record. He told an event hosted by the Canada China Business Council that a dialogue on human rights is not an easy discussion to have, but a necessary one. He says that building closer economic ties will make it easier for China and Canada to speak frankly about governance, human rights and the rule of law. On Tuesday, with Trudeau’s face gracing newspaper front pages, the state-run Xinhua news agency scolded Canada for allowing “groundless” human rights concerns to hinder what could be a productive relationship with China.

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FREELAND WANTS SPEEDY RESOLUTION TO CANOLA DISPUTE: Trade minister Chrystia Freeland says rules governing shipments of Canadian canola to China will remain in place until both countries can reach a new agreement on acceptable import standards. Freeland, who is part of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s delegation visiting China, says the Liberal government is committed to reaching a new arrangement with China regarding canola shipments as soon as possible. China is threatening to enforce tighter regulations on the amount of foreign materials — such as weeds, other crops and detritus — permitted in canola exports from Canada.

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BOMBARDIER JUGGLING TWO NEW CHALLENGES: Bombardier is juggling challenges on two fronts in Canada, temporarily suspending production of its Global business jets next year and missing a delivery deadline for a transit project in Toronto. The aerospace and railway manufacturer says it plans to place workers at its aircraft completion centre in Montreal on furlough for an unspecified amount of time next year. A company spokesman called it a “minor adjustment” to manage costs and address a sluggish market for corporate jets. He declined to specify how long the suspension of Global jet production would last.

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WATCHDOG SAYS CHILD BENEFITS WILL ERODE: The parliamentary budget office predicts that Canadian families will see their payments slowly erode over time under the Liberal government’s new child benefit program. The watchdog released a report Thursday that also says the benefit doesn’t automatically adjust to account for inflation, which means the number of families who qualify will also decline in the long run. The report says while 91 per cent of Canadian families are eligible for benefits this year, that will fall to 86 per cent by 2021, and will continue to decline as some families see their income levels rise high enough to no longer qualify for the benefit.

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TORY LEADERSHIP HOPEFUL WONDERS ABOUT SCREENING IMMIGRANTS ON VALUES: Conservative leadership candidate Kellie Leitch is asking whether the federal government should screen potential immigrants and refugees for anti-Canadian values. The question comes in a survey on a number of issues that was emailed to people who signed up for news from her campaign. In last year’s election campaign, Leitch helped promote a controversial promise to open a tip line for so-called barbaric cultural practices, to help the RCMP enforce a law aimed at cracking down on forced marriages and keeping polygamists out of Canada.

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MACKAY SAYS HE’LL SOON DECLARE LEADERSHIP INTENTIONS: Former cabinet minister Peter MacKay says he’s still mulling over joining the Conservative leadership race, but he knows he must make up his mind soon. Conservatives say that since MacKay would be a strong contender to replace former prime minister Stephen Harper, some other potential hopefuls are likely waiting to see what he will do. Conservative MP’s Kellie Leitch, Maxime Bernier, Michael Chong and Tony Clement have formally announced they are running for leadership, but MacKay says he’s concerned about the impact on his family from a leadership bid.

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NOTLEY ‘BEMUSED’ BY JEAN’S ASSAULT ‘JOKE’:Alberta Premier Rachel Notley says she was celebrating her 19th wedding anniversary when she heard that the Opposition leader was joking about physically assaulting her. Notley says the news left her bemused. She says Albertans must continue to hold all politicians to a high standard of discourse and, while it’s OK to disagree, it must be done respectfully. Jean has already apologized for the comment, which he made at atown-hall meeting in Fort McMurray on Tuesday night. He told the audience he would continue to beat the drum on key local issues, but joked that the law prevented him from beating Notley.

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MOVING CITY DOCKS IN HALIFAX: A massive cruise ship described as a mini, moving city docked in Halifax on Thursday. The Anthem of the Seas was carrying about 4,180 passengers plus the crew and weighs a whopping 168,666 tons, making it the largest cruise ship ever to visit Halifax both in terms of its size and passenger capacity. The shiphas everything from bumper cars and roller skating to a circus school and four swimming pools, along with more than 2,000 staterooms.

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AMERICANS REMINDED ABOUT BRINGING GUNS INTO CANADA: Canadian border officials say they recently seized 11 undeclared guns in less than a day from three American vehicles entering the country at the Coutts crossing in Alberta. The seizures late last week, just days after the federal agency launched a campaign to remind Americans about The Canada Border Services Agency says three seizures within one day is significant. Officers at the Coutts crossing seized 39 guns in 2015 — the most of any border point in Western Canada.

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